sailor

noun

sail·​or ˈsā-lər How to pronounce sailor (audio)
Synonyms of sailornext
1
a
: one that sails
especially : mariner
b(1)
: a member of a ship's crew
(2)
: seaman sense 2b
2
: a traveler by water
3
: a stiff straw hat with a low flat crown and straight circular brim

Synonyms

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Examples of sailor in a Sentence

He worked as a sailor on a cargo ship. the sailors were glad to be arriving in port after their long voyage
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But why is this all-American team of highly accomplished sailors, generously funded with Tommy Hilfiger on board, struggling? — Andrew Rice, The Athletic, 13 Mar. 2025 The rebels have targeted over 100 merchant vessels with missiles and drones, sinking two vessels and killing four sailors. — Graham Underwood, arkansasonline.com, 12 Mar. 2025 His firing came about the same time it was learned a former Great Lakes sailor pleaded guilty to plotting a terrorist attack at the Navy base or in Chicago’s Loop. — Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 3 Mar. 2025 Listen to this article A former U.S. Navy sailor has admitted to planning a terrorist attack on behalf of Iran on a naval base outside Chicago, federal authorities announced Thursday. — Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 27 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sailor

Word History

Etymology

alteration of sailer

First Known Use

1577, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of sailor was in 1577

Phrases Containing sailor

Rhymes for sailor

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Browse Nearby Words

sailor
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Cite this Entry

“Sailor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sailor. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

sailor

noun
sail·​or ˈsā-lər How to pronounce sailor (audio)
: a person who sails : seaman

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